Posts Tagged ‘stereotyping’

Prejudice is defined as “A judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts”. It’s common to see people judge other groups of people without any proof or solid news. Usually, people jump to conclusions about a large group of people based on the actions of very few. For example, a person might come across a proud rich man and start believing that all rich people are proud. Another example, a person may have a bad experience with someone from a specific culture and start believing that everyone from that culture is bad.

The effects of prejudice are dangerous and long term if not controlled. It originates in the mind and spreads rapidly, therefore it should be controlled in the mind before it grows and reaches the tongue or translates into actions. Lets look what the Quran says about Prejudice.

1 . “O you who believe! if a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unknowingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done. “(Chapter 49, Verse 6)

When you hear a news, investigate and confirm it before taking any action or opinion based on it. For example, there are sometimes many prejudiced emails either against Islam or against other people. Please make sure of such news that you receive in email before forwarding email because forwarding false information can be much more dangerous than forwarding no information.

2. “O you who believe! Let not a group mock at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; Nor let (some) women mock at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one’s brother after having faith. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed wrong-doers.“(Chapter 49, Verse 11)

A group could mean another race, sect, citizens of another country. One common example i see around is Indian and Pakistani people fighting verbal wars, abusing each other on the forums, blogs etc.. I would specially like to point this verse out to them. Sometimes, people get so patriotic and emotional, that they go out of ethnical limits just to prove themselves right. God won’t ask which country or race you were from, he looks at the hearts, intentions and piety.

3.” O you who believe, stand for God and be witnesses for justice, and let not the hatred towards a people make you avoid being just. Be just, for it is closer to righteousness, and be aware of God. God is expert over what you do.” (Chapter 5, Verse 8 )

Support justice. Don’t be biased. This is a very important verse. Don’t hate all non-muslims just because you had a bad experience with or heard something offensive from some extremist groups among them. There are good and bad people in every nation. It’s very interesting that Muslims are at the forefront when it comes to judging someone or calling someone a kafir (disbeliever). But when we are stereotyped as terrorists by the media, we hasten to explain that muslims are not terrorist, and not to judge us or our religion by the actions of a few extremists. We stand for our justice which is good but we fail to do justice when it comes to others. We should stand up for justice even if its not in favor of a Muslim, or a person from your community or family.

Calling someone a Kafir

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of God be upon him) said,

“When a person calls his brother a disbeliever, one of them will certainly deserve the title, If the addressee is so as he has asserted, the disbelief of the man is confirmed, but if it is untrue, then it will revert to him.“

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

I would like to remind my sunni and shia brothers who are indulged in finding faults and calling each other kafir. Remember this before calling someone kafir – If you are right.. you don’t gain anything.. but if you are wrong you can loose everything. Why risk your faith? You will not be questioned about a certain groups’ belief. You will be questioned about your own belief, intentions and deeds.

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